The following day Cormac and his army march the short journey from Emly and arrive on the Hill of Knocklong. They set up camp on the hill overlooking the area.
Cormac calls Cith Rua to erect his tent. Cith Rua cannot drive the Alder post into the ground on the hill and warns Cormac that the ground rejects his unlawful claims.
As they cannot drive the stake to erect the tent, they begin to build a great frame to support the tent. It looked like they were building a ship and today the area is known as Long Cliach / Ship of Cliach [Cnoc Loinge]
Cormac decided that the Hill of Knocklong was too low and that Fiacha occupied the higher ground of Glenbrohane. He demanded that his fairy druids raise the hill above Glenbrohane by magic.
Messengers were sent to Fiachra demanding taxes and compensation but they were refused.
Knocklong is located in East Limerick, 20 miles from Limerick city. The Hill of Knocklong is 3 miles from Emly and about 2.5 miles from Glenbrohane.
Forbhais Droma Dámhgháire / The Siege of Knocklong tells of the journey southwards of Cormac Mac Airt and his army, and the difficulties they encountered along the way, caused mainly by the druids.
The Saga is similar to the northern Tain Bó Cuailgne.
Knocklong was also known as :
Druim Dámhgháire, the Ridge of the Oxen
Cnoc Luinge, the Hill of the Encampment
Cnoc Luinge, the Hill of the Ships
Knocklong in the barony of Coshlea
The village consists of a population of about 700 people. The village is built around Knocklong railway station, closed now, but important historically for the Rescue of Sean Hogan, one of the first events of the War of Independence 1919. On 9 May 2010 a plaque was unveiled to commemorate the rescue.
The Morningstar River forms the southern boundary of the joint parish of Knocklong and Garyspillane.
OS Sheet 65 ref 724 309
The ruins of a 16th Century castle stand on Knocklong hill.
The castle was the seat of the Hurley family.
The Galtees mountains are the dominant view.
Close by lies the Ring-fort of Raheennamadra which was excavated in 1960.
There is an interpretative centre at Lough Gur, 9 miles from Knocklong.
The Lough Gur Neolithic Settlement and Stone Age Centre,
Lough Gur is a small lake around which over 30 ancient sites and monuments can be found dating from Neolithic to Medieval times. Stone circles, including one of the largest in Ireland, dwelling-places, field systems, standing stones, ringforts, crannogs, castles, and a megalithic tomb.
Sli na Slainte map of Knocklong
Song lyrics : The Station of Knocklong
The Siege of Knocklong: 250AD 